Peter Chiarelli Fired by Bruins: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

The Boston Bruins announced general manager Peter Chiarelli was relieved of his duties on Wednesday after the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

All other members of the front office are going to remain in place for now. The announcement included comments from team president Cam Neely about the decision and search for a replacement:

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We are grateful for Peter's service to the Bruins organization over the last nine seasons. His efforts undoubtedly helped the team achieve great success during his tenure, and he helped restore the proud tradition of Boston Bruins hockey. We ultimately feel that this change is necessary in order to ensure sustainable success for the club both in the short term and the long term. Our search for a new general manager will begin immediately.

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Neely later spoke at a press conference about the decision to remove Chiarelli, saying, "It was not a decision we took lightly."

Neely also spoke about the coaching staff's future, saying, "Once we go through the exhaustive search for the next GM, we will leave it up to that GM to decide."

Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs also issued a statement regarding Chiarelli's exit:

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Peter Chiarelli has done a tremendous job for the Boston Bruins over the last nine seasons. During that time I have come to know, and like him, both professionally and personally. This decision was not an easy one for Cam and Charlie but, ultimately, the right one for this organization. They have my full support in this decision. I know Peter will move on and continue to do great things in the league and I would give him my highest recommendation.

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Chris Johnston of Sportsnet believes it won't be long before another team comes calling:

The Bruins hired Chiarelli in May 2006. After missing the playoffs in his first year at the helm, Boston reached the postseason in seven consecutive seasons. The crowning achievement was a Stanley Cup triumph in 2010-11.

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

The team finished with the most points in the NHL last season with 117. It was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, however, and dropped from first to fifth place in the Atlantic Division this year. It finished two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

In turn, the Bruins moved swiftly to make a change after the season ended over the weekend.

Amalie Benjamin of The Boston Globe reported on potential candidates to replace Chiarelli in Boston:

Neely has yet to give a timetable for naming a new GM to fill the void.